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US-China relations
ChinaDiplomacy

Henry Kissinger: China pays highest tribute as President Xi Jinping sends condolences on passing of ‘old friend’

  • Chinese leader sends message to US counterpart Joe Biden, says ‘Kissinger’s name will forever be associated with China-US relations’
  • Premier Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also convey condolences, while analysts praise Kissinger’s role in bringing China and US together

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Robert Daly, pictured interpreting for Henry Kissinger and Jiang Zemin in 1997, said Kissinger was “one of the last giants”. Photo: Supplied by Robert Daly
Igor Patrickin WashingtonandZhao Ziwenin Hong Kong
President Xi Jinping has conveyed his condolences on the passing of former US top diplomat Henry Kissinger, marking the highest level of tribute from China for its “old friend”.
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Kissinger, who was secretary of state during the height of the Cold War and played a pivotal role in shaping Sino-American relations, died on Wednesday at his home in Connecticut. He was 100.
In a message to US President Joe Biden, Xi expressed deep sorrow over Kissinger’s death and sincere condolences to his family on behalf of the Chinese government and people, China’s state news agency Xinhua reported.

02:20

US diplomatic veteran Henry Kissinger visits Beijing ‘as a friend of China’

US diplomatic veteran Henry Kissinger visits Beijing ‘as a friend of China’
China’s No 2 official, Premier Li Qiang, conveyed his condolences to the Kissinger family, while Foreign Minister Wang Yi sent a message to his US counterpart, Antony Blinken, the Chinese foreign ministry said.

“Dr Henry Kissinger was a world-renowned strategist, as well as an old friend and good friend of the Chinese people,” Xinhua’s readout of Xi’s message read.

“He made it his lifelong pursuit to promote the development of China-US relations and enhance the friendship between the two peoples. Kissinger’s name will forever be associated with China-US relations,” he added.

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The president also said China stood “ready to work with the United States to carry on the cause of friendship between the Chinese and American people, to promote the healthy and stable development of China-US relations for the benefit of the two peoples, and to make due contributions to world peace and development”.

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